NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday in response to his comments regarding students protesting against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of overlooking the immense suffering endured by students and their families.
In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha emphasized that the core issue lies not with the conduct of the protesters, but rather with the failures of the education system that has rendered thousands of students uncertain about their futures.
“Nothing is more painful than seeing a parent grieve their child. Behind every young life lost is a family carrying pain that will never leave them—along with serious questions about a broken education system,” Rahul expressed.
Concerns Over NEET Irregularities
Referring to the ongoing controversy concerning the medical entrance examination, he lamented, “Leaked papers, cancelled exams, and years of preparation destroyed overnight. Our students are told to work honestly in a system that is not honest with them.”
Rahul Gandhi further criticized the Prime Minister for suggesting the need to forgive the students involved in the protests. “And the Prime Minister has the audacity to speak of ‘forgiving’ students. He has not met a single grieving parent or sat with any student whose future was stolen by a leaked paper. India’s students do not need his forgiveness; they are owed his apology,” he said emphatically.
Prime Minister Modi’s Response
This commentary came shortly after PM Modi released a late-night video message on Instagram, addressing the protests related to the alleged NEET irregularities. Modi stated that he felt compelled to respond after hearing derogatory remarks directed at him and his late mother during demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
The Prime Minister expressed his understanding of the anguish in society but urged for responses based on compassion rather than anger. “Not only was I subjected to abusive language at Jantar Mantar, but even my late mother was abused there with filthy language. However, abuses never solve anything; let’s guide the misguided,” he remarked.
Calling the protesters “our children,” Modi emphasized the importance of forgiveness over punishment. “We must forgive our youth who were misguided; after all, they are our children. It’s our duty to show them the right path,” he concluded, advocating for a supportive society that helps young people learn from their mistakes rather than facing public humiliation.
Background on the Protests
The protests regarding the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination began at Jantar Mantar on June 20 under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). They concluded on July 25 after the Centre accepted the group’s demands, leading to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This agitation, which drew support from various opposition parties, culminated in a march to Parliament on July 20, where demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in lathicharges and the use of tear gas.
